Have you ever seen a ninety-five-year-old woman, all of 5 feet tall, play baseball? If you were driving by the Lincoln Home in Newcastle last Tuesday you would have seen her and her 80 to 90 year old team mates decked out in their Golden Oldie t-shirts and ball caps, cheering, batting, walking bases, and having a grand time. 

Kevin Benner from Maintenance, clears the parking lot of cars, chalks the bases onto the hot top and opens the 14^th annual baseball game  with “ PLAY BALL”.  The chatter rises, and the competitive, sassy talk from player to player begins. When the 103 centenarian walks up to bat, loud cheers follow him. When he hits the ball, his grin is visible across the third base line. 

This event, year after year, has proven that one is never too old to try something new, to play, to have fun, and to be rowdy and cheer on fellow teammates. Score is kept, but no one seems to care. It is the playing that matters, the camaraderie, being outside, and the singing of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” during the 7^th inning stretch.

Join Jean Lawrence on Monday, June 24, from 3:00-4:00pm to learn about the history of Waldoboro. This midcoast town was settled largely by German emigrants, and their cultural heritage remains to this day.General Samuel Waldo, a Boston merchant, brought over the first settlers on the ship “Lydia”‘ in 1742. Originally called “Broad Bay”, the town was incorporated as Waldoboro in 1773.

Local historian, Jerry Wiles, will present the first of a two-part history of the Berlin Wall on Monday, May 20, from 2:00 to 3:00pm. For almost thirty years the Berlin Wall stood as a symbol in a divided Germany. Its history is an iconic part of the 20th century. 

The Lincoln Home is strongly motivated to teach others how to improve the lives of people with dementia by helping them to feel safe, secure and treated with dignity in our local banks, shops, stores, restaurants and other places of business. They are offering two free customer service training workshops to be held at 22 River Road, Newcastle. Choose either MAY 8 or MAY 15, from 1:30 – 3:30pm.

Employees will learn skills to help understand and communicate compassionately to customers with dementia. Effectively set up a win/win environment by reducing anxiety and building bridges for a positive outcome.

Towns and cities across our nation are embracing the concept of “Dementia Friendly Communities.” The Lincoln Home is advocating for all businesses, town officials and community leaders to participate in efforts to create a Dementia Friendly Lincoln County. T

o sign up for one of the workshops, or to learn more about family caregiver classes, contact Steve Raymond, 563-3350 or steve@lincoln-home.org. Harbor View Cottage, a unique Memory Loss Community at The Lincoln Home, supports both the caregiver and loved one with Memory Day programs, respite stays and full-time care.